LAHORE: Celebrating its ninth anniversary this year, Pakistan Fashion Design Council’s L’Oreal Paris Bridal Week kicked off at the Nishat Emporium on Thursday where four designers sashayed their collection down the green ramp, made to resemble grass, against a lush backdrop.
The show opened with Hussain Rehar and closed with Saira*Shakira.
HUSSAIN REHAR
Lahore-based designer Hussain Rehar is a notable favorite amongst the fashion savvy, who want to embrace traditional touches and work with restraint but also pay attention and allegiance to clever (re: structure holding) fabrics and unexpected silhouettes. His collection “FATEH PUR - The amour proper of Punjab,” married his fashion aesthetic (pun intended) with his collection’s intent to celebrate Punjab from the motifs cascading across rich-hued lehngas to the union (did it again) of classic cuts like anarkalis and gowns made for a collection for the bride who wants to make a bold statement on her wedding day.
NIDA AZWER
Nida Azwer’s “Anarkali” tapped into inspiration from the Mughal era, a bridal favorite amongst South Asians who utilize their big day to full and embrace the glamour. But Azwer, whose collection was a standout of the night, did a bit of a remix and brought Mughalai design sentiment into the modern world all hoisted under her unique design perspective. Azwer’s “Anarkali” was dark, metallic and even embroidered with paintings that could be ripped right out of a (Pakistani) bride’s Pinterest board. Azwer brought a fresh take of inspiration from yore creating wearable and investible pieces that do not run the risk of appearing performative or costume-y.
SAIRA*SHAKIRA
Saira*Shakira helmed by Saira blah blah and Shakira blah blah brought “Kali - a bloom” to the PLBW ramp, described as “a tale of a beautiful kali or a bloom that is in the process of growing and constantly changing to become more and more beautiful and mature with every passing moment.” The duo’s collection began in light pastels punctuated with pearl work and crystals, gradually, like the story behind it, grew to more traditional ensembles in deep reds and heavier embroidery. The collection was a great display of diverse options for brides who want cohesion but experimentation in their bridal trousseau.
ZUBIA ZAINAB
Making her PLBW debut, Zubia Zainab brought with her for the ramps “Dare to Dream,” a collection of pastel and silver ensembles from gowns to lehngas, featuring whimsical touches like ruffles, flounced cuts and statement, puffy sleeves. The collection was a solid premiere from Zainab in terms of cohesion and some fantastic mirror work, but the collection played it safe, ultimately showcasing a style which has become synonymous with Pakistani bridal wear over the last few years.
